Audubon County Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Audubon Co., Iowa) 1885-1894, 1887-06-09
DEATH OF WHEELER.
The Venerable Ex.yice President Dies
at His Home In Malone, N. Y.
Brief sketches of tho Pubiic Life and
service ola Once Prominent Man.

WATERFOWL. n Y, June 4.--Hon.
VIM. A. Wheeler died at his home IN Ma.
lone at 1910 this morning. He remained
in comatose state during the night and
passed peacefully away without sign of
recognition Of those around him.
VIM. A. Wheeler, LII D., ex.Vice
President, was born June 80. 1891 Ma.
lone, Franklin county, New York He
entered the University Of Vermont, and
afterwards commenced the study OF law
with Col. Asa Hascall. He was made
district attorney for Franklin county and
was its superintendent Of schools. In the
years 1850 and 1851 Mr. Wheeler repro.
sented that county In the New York As
scmbly, and was a member OF the senate
in New York In 1853 and 1859 and pres
dent pro tenn of that body. He was a
member and the president OF the New
York constitutional convention lin 1867
and 1858, and was elected Representative
in Congress to the 3Tth, 4lst, 42nd, ADD
and 44th congress, and In June,
1875, was unanimously nominated for
the Vice Presidency of the United States
by the Republican national convention at
Cincinnati. He was one Of the organizers
of the Bauk of Malone and held the posi-
ton Of cashier and chief managing direo.
tor He was trustee Of the New York
Railway company. In the political com.
plications which arose in Louisiana dur
ing the session Of the 43d Congress Mr..
Wheeler was conspicuous, he having been
chairman Of the special committee of the
House of Representatives that visited
Louisiana and finally adjusted the diff
culties existing there on the basis of what
is known rs the wheeler Compromise
AS President Of the Senate, he was
neither particularly popular nor unpopu-
lar; and when Garfield and Arthur came
in in 1884, he retired unnoticed to private
life and was quite forgotten until a few
months ago. when it was given out that
he was afflicted with mortal illness and
had fallen into hopeless imbecility. He
was mere child, deferred by none, peev-
ish, impatient, helpless. Before his con-
dition became matter Of secret knowl.
edge in Malone, the statesman's house
was overrun with visitors. Those who
had any point to gain in which his name
might be of service hesitated not to call
at his house for an audience, and no one
left the mansion without tho recommen.
dation, signature, or promise Of influence
sought, which, in most cases, 1t
70 uut lhiI W pICSuhC, WOulu
never have been given but for
the condition OF the donor This was
one Of the first incidents that called the
attention of the ex,yice president friends
aud relatives more closely to him. Since
that time his life has been spent almost
wholly at his own residence from which
visitors to him were excluded or being
driven about the country in his carriage.
His relatives studiously kept him from
either public or social assemblages. The
Republican politicians of Northern New
York, who went TO consult him for ad-
vice and influence have long since ceased
their pilgrimages The exvicc presidents
family were devoted to him. and untiring
in their efforts to provide for the invalid's
comfort. He chung tenaciously to his
physician, DR.. Gray, who lives but half
block distant, and who was in almost
constant attendance. II the latter defer.
red his stated visit but for an hour, he
was sent for at once. Not night passed
that the physician did not attend and as.
sist the sufferer to procure semblance OF
sleep,
Mr.. Wheelers death leaves Hannibal
Hamlin, of Maine, the only living Vice
President. Mr.. Hamlin is well up in
years, but hale and hearty.